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Bhubaneswar, July 14: Auditor General of cooperative societies has found irregularities worth Rs 4.10crore in paddy procurement in undivided Koraput district between 2012-13 and 2014-15. The cooperative department Friday ordered a vigilance probe into the case.
As per the abstract of the special audit reports submitted by the Auditor General of cooperative societies, 48 Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPCS) have committed irregularities in paddy procurement in the undivided Koraput district during 2012-13 to 2014-15.
“During the conduct of special audit for years 2012-13 and 2014-15, it was observed that Rs 3,36,51,302 had been paid in excess towards mandi labour charges in paddy procurement business by 48 LAMPCS without approval from the competent authority and Rs 73,84,976 towards the value of paddy found shortage in case of Umuri LAMPCS of Koraput district,” cooperation deputy secretary PK Mishra wrote to vigilance director RP Sharma.
“It appears from the enquiry report that the excess mandi handling charges have been misappropriated in a collusive manner. Under the above circumstances, government has been pleased to order an investigation into the matter in detail by the general administration (vigilance) department. You are, therefore, requested to enquire into the matter and furnish the report to this department at the earliest for taking needful action at government level,” Mishra said.
The government has also ordered the Auditor General of cooperative societies for initiation of proceedings against the delinquents in respect of 48 LAMPCS for recovery of excess amount of illegal expenditure, sources said.
The registrar of cooperative societies has been directed to take steps for filing of FIR against Rebati Nandan Ojha, the then MD of Umuri LAMPCS for shortage of paddy to the extent of 5430.13 quintal whose cost comes to Rs 73,84,976 between 2012-13 and 2014-15.
The registrar has been asked to take immediate steps for realisation of an amount towards excess payment as mentioned in the Special Audit reports of 48 LAMPCS.
Earlier, the government had asked the crime branch to investigate large scale irregularities in distribution of crop loan and crop insurance to farmers.
